Moss will be a man with few options

Moss will be a man with few options

By TomE. Curran
CSNNE.com
On Wednesday's edition of PFT Live, Pro Football Talk's daily webcast, Titans coach Mike Munchak said it "remains to be seen" if Randy Moss will be part of the new regime in Tennessee. Most likely, "it remains to be seen" is code for "are you out of your mind?!"As Gregg Rosenthal points out, Moss caught six passes for 80 yards in eight games with the Titans. And despite all Jeff Fisher's bouquets about what a great mentor and teammate Moss was during his time with the Titans (similar to Bill Belichick's bouquets, although Fisher's had little moustaches on them), Moss was an abject failure there, in Minnesota and in his four games with New England in 2010. Because of Moss' Halloween Ode to all things Patriots in his final game with the Vikings, it's reasonable to presume he'll target New England as a possible landing spot. Likelihood? Between slim and none. And closer to none. Despite Tom Brady's kind words about Moss as a teammate, he was all set with Moss once the Week 2 loss to the Jets went down. That was the game in which Moss was targeted 10 times and caught two passes. Brady threw two picks on passes intended for Moss - half of his 2010 total. Moss' field-stretching ability remains. So too does his patience-stretching ability. And though the Patriots were able to keep a cork on the bottle for virtually his entire stay here, if New England brought Moss back at a minimum contract with a reduced role, it's hard to imagine him being a productive member of the team. Remember, when Moss passed through waivers after the Vikings released him, only the Titans put out a claim on him. He'll likely have even fewer suitors after his time in Tennessee. Tom E. Curran canbe reached at tcurran@comcastsportsnet.com.Follow Tom on Twitter at http:twitter.comtomecurran

He didn’t land in New England, but he didn’t too badly, winding up with the usually competitive Ravens.

On a Thursday conference call with New England media, Weddle confirmed that there was mutual interest expressed.

“Obviously, I was interested,” he acknowledged. “I have nothing but high regard, respect and admiration – and envy, quite honestly – of the success of the New England Patriots over the years. Obviously, battling them in my career, it’s always been a great game. I love the way they play, love the foundation, love everything about it. It was definitely on my radar. There were talks both ways, it just didn’t end up [working out].”

The numbers massed at the position with Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty and Duron Harmon played a role in the two sides not being able to reach accord, according to Weddle.

“I’m good buddies with Patrick Chung,” he said. “I grew up playing with him and Devin [McCourty] is one of the best to play, so I don’t know if it would have worked out personnel-wise. But obviously, I could have seen myself fitting in there seamlessly.”

Weddle’s New England attraction apparently wasn’t love that bloomed late in his career. Toward the end of his conference call, Weddle said, “I’m still wondering why they just didn’t draft me in ’07; I could have been still playing there now.”

As reporters puzzled for a moment trying to recall the 2007 first-rounder, Weddle chipped in with the answer: “[They took] Brandon Meriweather.”

More importantly around here, the Patriots now are in position to win out and claim the AFC’s No. 1 seed.

Prior to the Raiders loss, Oakland would have been the top seed if both they and the Patriots won out. Now, the 10-2 Patriots have a leg up on the rest of the conference. The Raiders’ road stays tough. They are at San Diego and Denver and host the Colts.

The Chiefs have a more favorable close to the season with home games against Tennessee and Denver before their season finale at San Diego.

The Patriots’ road over the final four is no picnic though, beginning with the Ravens and at Denver before the last two hosting the Jets and traveling to Miami.